SATURATED FATS

Saturated fats are those in which all carbons contain a hydrogen, and therefore, no double bonds exist.

In general, fats that contain a majority of saturated fatty acids are solid at room temperature, although some solid vegetable shortenings are up to 75 percent unsaturated.

Some common fatty acids in foods include palmitic, stearic and myristic acids.

Saturated fatty acids are more stable than unsaturated fatty acids because of their chemical structure. Stability is important to prevent rancidity and off flavors and odors. Reprinted from the International Food Information Council Foundation